Cynthia Ligeard

Cynthia Ligeard (born June 15, 1962 Nouméa) is a New Caledonian anti-independence politician. Ligeard was the second woman to serve as President of the Government of New Caledonia, a position she held from June 5, 2014, until April 1, 2015. (Marie-Noëlle Thémereau was the first female President of New Caledonia from 2004 to 2007).

Biography

Ligeard was born Cynthia Parage in Nouméa, New Caledonia, on June 15, 1962. She is a caldoche, or New Caledonian of French descent.

The 2014 New Caledonian legislative election were held on May 11, 2014. Cynthia Ligeard was elected President of the Government of New Caledonia by Congress on June 5, 2014. She headed a coalition of anti-independence New Caledonian political parties in Congress. However, Ligeard's government lasted just six months before its collapse in December 2014 due to a dispute between the anti-independence coalition parties over finances and fiscal issues. Philippe Germain of Caledonia Together succeeded her as president on April 1, 2015.